Roland Sands Custom Indian Motorcycle

Roland Sands single sided rear section hard tail, custom Indian Motorcycle

Roland Sands is one hell of a industrial designer. His bikes never fail to intrigue on many levels of design and engineering, yet they also never look the same and still feel crafted from his shop. I have been anxiously awaiting the reveal of this beauty and glimpsed the photo above from Instagram. Have a look at more of the build process below and then link over to his build progress on the main site to see exactly how it all came together.

Cafe Racer TV Season 4 - Starts November 6th

One of Roland Sands latest creations on Season 4 of Cafe Racer TV

"Cafe Racer is back for a fourth season starting Wednesday, November 6 on Velocity. The next installment will feature high profile builders like Roland Sands and the guy-in-garage such as Grey Dog Moto and MaceTech. The celebrity lineup includes Riddick's Katee Sackhoff, rock band Chevelle, Travis and Lyn-z Pastrana and our favorite test riders Eric and Ben Bostrom.

We've also listened to viewer feedback: A new show format will consist of five episodes that are one hour each in length. Each episode will showcase two bike builds start to finish and more emphasis will be put on the process and craft.

Season 4: Wednesday nights on Velocity at 10 pm Eastern"

Nov. 6
Nov. 13
Nov. 20
Nov. 27
Dec. 4

Old Ideas Equal Good TV Ratings For Discovery

Yep, guilty as charged, we are sure as hell watching the bike build off on Discovery Channel. I find it rather amazing that Paul Sr and his team went for a race bike style. Not that the bike is truly interesting visually, as Confederate had this style pegged years ago, but at least they did something different and challenged themselves, for that they score some props. Orange County Choppers didn't take the easy road such as Junior did. With another bike that is more reflective of an overpriced sculpture, rather than a real motorcycle, he easily proves he doesn't care about motorcycles, only the cameras and the money. Please exit stage left and let real bikers back on television.

Confederate Motorcycles - B120 Wraith

Orange County Choppers - Discovery Bike Build Off

Jesse James build is truly a sport bike and one that might even make Erik Buell salivate over. Where he ups the ante though is adding an EFI Twin Cam motor into a race bike style frame and the articulating chassis was a serious batch of engineering. Although his bike looks unique, a bit of it's styling nods already go out to the folks over at Buell, Wakan and Roland Sands who are creating some of the most stylish sport bikes powered by V-Twin motors. Jesse has a huge ego, but that is what makes him damn interesting and you cannot forget that this is entertainment. Americans love an antihero and Jesse gives it to them in spades. The way he approaches the building of a project, is of an engineer, not an assembly person. Let him gloat all he wants, if others want to be on his level of building, they should learn the craft and want to be more than just assembly artists. Mucho kudos for always taking the path least traveled and working through problems on an engineering and structural level.

Wakan Motorcycles has truly built a sportbike utilizing the Harley powerplant

Jesse James unique sportbike that has a plethora of great engineering features

Last but not least, we cannot forget about the dudes over at Gas Monkey Garage. They went for a classic chopper look which is hard to beat and pulled it off, with a style that is tight and flowing akin to a Cole Foster build. There aren't many bells and whistles, just a cool and fun little chopper that handles the way a bike should and looks to be mechanically sound. They have a great attitude throughout their show and generally get that it's all about entertainment. Maybe in the future they could add more bike builds to the show instead of all car flips.

Gas Monkey Garage's pink split rocker box Shovelhead chopper

Cole Foster definitely was an inspiration for the Gas Monkey Garage fellas.

Hopefully with the American Chopper series wrapping up, Discovery can focus on real mechanics and builders who are challenging the way the folks look at their rides. We personally think they should invest film time, in the new bikes being built by Motus Motorcycles. Their new style of American Sportbike, has a new engine style for a motorcycle, based on a car engine block and developed by Pratt & Whitney. 

Do us all a favor Discovery, dial back the drama and focus on American ingenuity in engineering, basic mechanics and overall quality in the projects at hand. I know it's a stretch but maybe even focus on using your corporate name as a point of departure. Wasn't that the original intention of the channel anyways? The corporate sponsors will continue to bank roll the channel through leveraged advertising, but most of all, you will challenge the next generation to create and imagine greater ideas that will help shape the future. 

Outperformer #2 Roland Sands, By Royal Purple Motor Oils

Progression is the key to survival. If you want to remain relevant and be known for innovative ideas and craftsmanship, staying on top of your game is paramount. There are always a select few that rise above and become known for their work. Roland Sands has done this in spades and proves regularly through his builds and well crafted products. The video below is compelling in it's long format commercial style, which is produced by Royal Purple, whom is primarily known for their motor oils and lubricants.

Find out more about Roland Sands

Roland Sands - The Road to 200 in Maxton

If you have any inclination on what it takes to undertake land speed racing, you know that its a game of physics mixed with weather and a dash of endurance. Circle track racing is just folks turning left and having to maintain steady speeds while fighting off the competition, relying heavily on lane position and mechanical endurance. Land speed racing is about the driver and the vehicle meeting in the middle to pilot through that magical radar line off in the distance at the fastest speed possible. Within those thousands of feet everything has to work to perfection or to your mechanical advantage, per sey if you have a tail wind or the cool morning air to help the motors run tip top. Have a look at Roland Sands going all out to reach 200 mph at our local Maxton Mile. After his last pass it is quite evident what level that components need to be at to be able to handle the stress of those speeds. We know that he will push that Victory to the coveted elite 200mph record as his determination is written all over his face.

Custom Victory Motorcycles

Custom bikes come in all makes and models but I rarely ever see much attention paid to Victory Motorcycles on the customizing side of life. I know that there are starting to be some areas in which after market parts are available but not sure on how much is available for custom builds. This shouldn't be a holdup by any means. Personally I have never ridden one or don't know anyone that has one but after seeing them up close and talking with our local dealer on them they seem to be solid machines. Hell for that matter everything created by Polaris tends to be well built. Interested to see where Victory will be heading in the future considering their partnerships with the Ness family and that they are an Amercian motorcycle manufacturer, even more reason to rally behind them.

The bike below is the CORE concept bike designed by Victory lead Designer Michael Song. Within the videos, check out more ideas on customizing Victory bikes done by Roland Sands, Michael Song and Greg Brew.

Victory Motorcycles